Stunned into a belated response by a series of severe climate shocks, governments have taken tough measures to combat climate change, pushing technology to its limits to impose sustainability on the population and provide some relief from restrictions on personal freedom.

This low-carbon world has been created by a rapid and ceaseless process of technological innovation. Lifestyles and business practices have been minimally affected, but against the background of diminishing resources there is growing concern about the long-term sustainability of this “innovation treadmill” approach.